http://www.sheknows.com/articles/parenting/family-funFri, 09 Dec 2016 16:00:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1130354/funniest-tweets-from-parents-this-week
Moms and dads don't always have it easy. In fact, they rarely have it easy, which is exactly why funny tweets from other parents are pretty much one of life's necessities. If you've got little (or even not-so-little) ones at home, here's the laugh you so desperately need. Here are the 10 funniest tweets from parents this week.

8. It's all for the photo

9. Sounds kinda nice

10. Not a bad idea

not a bad idea

not a bad idea

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1130354/funniest-tweets-from-parents-this-weekFri, 09 Dec 2016 08:00:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1008403/diy-kaleidoscope-craft-for-kids
Putting together a fun crafting day for kids can seem overwhelming, but it really doesn't have to be — sometimes the simplest crafts are the most entertaining. Your kids will have blast making this beautiful kaleidoscope, and even more fun playing with it after.

What you'll do:

Step 1

Use the marker to trace around the end of the paper towel roll on the clear plastic.

Step 2

Image: Amy Vowles/SheKnows

Cut out the piece of plastic so that it is just small enough to fit inside the end of the paper towel roll.

Step 3

Image: Amy Vowles/SheKnows

Put a small amount of hot glue along the inside rim of the paper towel roll, then slide the plastic circle into the roll so that the glue holds it in place. (Caution — only adults should handle the hot glue gun.)

Step 4

Image: Amy Vowles/SheKnows

Start dropping the translucent beads into the paper towel roll.

Step 5

Image: Amy Vowles/SheKnows

Cut a second small plastic circle using the same method as the first circle. Drop the circle inside the tube on top of the beads. Use your ruler to help it lay flat if necessary.

Step 6

Image: Amy Vowles/SheKnows

Drop the ruler down into the tube and measure the distance between the second plastic circle and the top of the paper towel roll.

Step 7

Image: Amy Vowles/SheKnows

Cut out 3 strips of cardboard from the cereal box that are 1 inch wide, and as long as the distance that you measured. Wrap the 3 pieces of cardboard in aluminum foil with the reflective side out. Use tape to keep the aluminum foil in place.

Step 8

Image: Amy Vowles/SheKnows

Tape the 3 pieces of cardboard together so that they form a triangle.

Step 9

Image: Amy Vowles/SheKnows

Slide the triangle inside the tube so that it is resting on top of the second plastic circle. Mine fit pretty snugly in the tube, but you can secure the triangle in place with tape, if necessary.

Step 10

Image: Amy Vowles/SheKnows

Cut the piece of scrapbook paper so that it is as long as the paper towel roll and wide enough to wrap all the way around the roll. Attach paper to the paper towel roll with tape. Point the kaleidoscope toward a window and spin it to see the different colors and reflections.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/977313/hanukkah-craftsFri, 02 Dec 2016 15:00:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1130159/10-funniest-tweets-from-parents-this-week
If there's one thing parents need, it's a sense of humor. Also, wine. If you've got little ones on your hands, enjoy these tweets from moms and dads that perfectly sum up life with kids. Then pour yourself a glass of wine — you deserve it.

7. Might be a good fit?

8. The upside to being illiterate

9. It's all relative

10. Mom trick

mom trick

mom trick

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1130159/10-funniest-tweets-from-parents-this-weekFri, 02 Dec 2016 14:16:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1130243/googles-santas-village-is-now-live
It's official: Santa’s Village is now open to visitors. Well, Google’s Santa’s Village. It may not have actual elves, but it’s actually pretty cute.

To help us pass the time until Christmas, Google will update the site every day by unlocking a new experience. According to Tracy Hepler from Google Marketing North Pole: “From sliding penguins to dancing elves, the residents of the North Pole are having the time of their lives, and now you can join in the merriment.” There will be several new games in Santa’s Village, including four that will only be available on the Android app.

For Google's Computer Science Education Week, taking place Dec. 5 through 11, Google will unveil (sorry, “unwrap”) three coding games. There’s Code Boogie, for instance, in which you can help Santa’s elves learn dance moves. (Code Boogie kind of confused me — but then, I’m old, and most new things confuse me. And frighten me! But I digress.)

Anyway, Santa’s Village is pretty cute, and sure to get your children revved up about the holidays. (Do they need to be more revved about the holidays?) The animation of Santa getting in shape for the big day is adorable. It’s all adorable.

For teachers trying to keep kids’ attention throughout December, there’s an educator resource page. And for all ages, there’s a “traditions” page, on which we can learn about the curious holiday customs of other lands. For instance:

“In Greece, friendly but troublesome creatures called ‘kallikantzari’ live most of the year in the center of the earth.” But at Christmas, they love to hide in people’s houses, frightening people, playing tricks, or devouring Christmas foods.”

and:

“At Christmas time in Iceland, families give gifts of warm clothing to each member of their household. According to legend, there is a frightening Christmas Cat who gobbles up anyone not equipped for the cold and wintery weather.”

I pretty much stopped reading at that point because it seems like everyone’s traditions involve frightening and/or eating human beings. (OK, actually these were the only traditions that had anything dark in them. Thus, they were my favorites.)

On the 24th, Google will be tracking Santa as he makes his way around the world. Whether you trust Google’s Santa Tracker more than NORAD’s is entirely your call.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1130243/googles-santas-village-is-now-liveFri, 02 Dec 2016 12:50:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/848521/10-holiday-traditions-from-across-the-world
It's important that every family creates holiday traditions they take great pride in, but it's equally important to learn about the rich customs and celebrations that take place in different cultures.

Teach your kids about these amazing traditions from around the world. You'll be surprised at how much it enriches your family's own celebration.

Hanukkah in Israel

Jewish people all over the world observe Hanukkah, but perhaps there is not a more brilliant celebration than in Israel. The eight-day holiday, which lands on different dates in December every year, marks the successful Jewish rebellion over the Greeks. The focal point of celebration is the menorah, a branched candelabrum, and most homes have many. Each night, one candle is lit and gifts are often given to children, games are played and food is enjoyed. Children in Israel even get a week off from school.

New Year's Eve in Ecuador

In this South American country, a family dresses up a straw man representing the old year. Family members make a will for the straw man that lists all of their faults. At midnight, they burn the straw manin hopes their own faults disappear too.

Kwanzaa in the U.S.

Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration honoring African-American culture. It was first celebrated in 1966 and is one of the fastest growing holidays. A Kwanzaa celebration often includes singing, drumming and a selection of readings such as the African pledge or parts of African history.

Omisoka in Japan

In Japan, Omisoka, or New Year's Eve, is the second most important holiday of the year, following New Year's Day, the start of a new beginning. Japanese families gather for a late dinner around 11 p.m., and at midnight, many make visits to a shrine or temple. In many homes, there is a cast bell that is struck 108 times, symbolizing desires believed to cause human suffering.

Ta Chiu in Hong Kong

Those in Hong Kong pray to the gods and ghosts of their ancestors asking that they will fulfill wishes for the next year. Priests read aloud the names of every person living at the celebration and attach a list of names to a paper horse and set it on fire. The smoke carries the names up to the gods and the living will be remembered.

Christmas in France

In France, Christmas is called Noel. And though there are many similarities to Christmas in the U.S., you'll find a number of key differences. A figure called Pere Noel, father of Christmas, makes home visits with gifts. On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by a fireplace that will be filled with the gifts. In the morning, they awake to find fruits, nuts and small toys. Nearly every home has a Nativity Scene, which serves as the focal point of decoration and celebration, just as the Christmas tree does in U.S. homes.

Christmas in Alaska

Christmas traditions in Alaska are similar to the rest of the Unites States, but there are a few unique differences that make an Alaskan Christmas special. For example, children go caroling with a long pole topped by a colored star. Songs sung in the home often include the Aleut words “Gristuusaaq suu'uq,” which means “Christ is born.” The closing words, “Mnogaya leta,” means, “God grant you many years.” Treats may include cookies, doughnuts, and cake, as well as fish pie called piruk and smoked salmon.

St. Stephen's Day in Ireland

Christmas festivities in Ireland tend to be more religious in nature than about simple fun. Christmas celebrations last from Christmas Eve until January 6th (Epiphany). On the 26th, St. Stephen’s Day, an Irish tradition that is known as the Wren Boys Procession takes place. Children go from door to door singing, holding a stick that is topped by a holly bush and a wren. They ask for money for the “starving wren,” which goes into their pockets. In ancient times, a real wren was killed and fastened to the stick, but today fake wrens are used.

Sviata Vechera in the Ukraine

The Christmas Eve festivities in the Ukraine are known as Sviata Vechera, which means “Holy Supper.” The celebration begins when the first evening star is sighted in the night sky. In farming communities, the household head brings in a sheaf of wheat which symbolizes the wheat crops of Ukraine. It is called “didukh,” which translates to “grandfather spirit.” In homes within the city, a few stalks of wheat may be used to decorate the table.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/848521/10-holiday-traditions-from-across-the-worldFri, 02 Dec 2016 12:30:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1023599/diy-felt-christmas-tree-craft-for-kids
Children love all the light and splendor of a Christmas tree, but — let's be real — little hands around so much glass is enough to make anyone a little nervous.

This felt Christmas tree craft will keep kids occupied as they wait for Santa's visit and it gives them totally safe tree to marvel at. It's a win all the way around!

And the best thing about Christmas crafts that your kids create? You'll both have a sweet momento of their childhood holidays when they are older. Here are some crafting how-tos to brighten up your family's December.

1. Pinecone Christmas tree ornaments

Image: SheKnows

Pinecones can be found at most crafting stores or, if you're lucky, in your own backyard! Your kids will love this Christmas craft that produces their very own ornaments for the tree this year.

Materials:

Pinecones

Yarn

Craft glue

Water

2 shallow bowls

Glitter

Directions:

Fill one shallow bowl with a mixture of craft glue and water (three-parts glue to one-part water).

Mix the glue and water together.

Fill the second shallow bowl with a thin layer of glitter.

Dip the ends of the pinecone into the glue mixture.

Hold the pinecone over the bowl containing the glitter and sprinkle glitter over the wet glue.

Let dry.

Tie a piece of yarn near the top of the pinecone in a loop.

Tip: Pinecone Christmas tree ornaments make great gifts for teachers and family members.

2. Christmas reindeer pot

Image: SheKnows

This Christmas reindeer pot is an easy craft that your kids can make in minutes. The pot is a cute way to store candy canes or other Christmas treats, and can even be a creative package for a small gift.

Materials:

Terracotta pot

2 large googly eyes

4 brown pipe cleaners

Red pom pom

Craft glue

Scissors

Directions:

Start by using the craft glue to glue the eyes to the terracotta pot.

Next, glue the red pom pom to the pot beneath the eyes to form the reindeer's nose.

Cut one of the pipe cleaners in half. Wrap the two short pieces of pipe cleaner around a long piece of pipe cleaner to form the antlers. Repeat for the second set of antlers.

4. 3-D snowman

Image: SheKnows

This Christmas craft can get a little messy, but children love playing with cotton balls and glue, so sit back and enjoy as your child's eyes light up — and then light up again at the sight of his or her finished craft project.

Materials:

White cardstock paper

Black cardstock paper

Orange cardstock paper

Cotton balls or white pom pom craft balls

Craft glue

Water

Shallow bowl

Popsicle stick or hard paintbrush

Directions:

Cut three circles from the white paper — small, medium and large.

Cut one square, one thin/long rectangle and five tiny circles from the black paper.

Cut one triangle from the orange paper.

Fill the shallow bowl with a mixture of craft glue and water (three-parts glue to one-part water).

Glue the three white circles together to create the snowman's body.

Glue the black, thin large rectangle and black square together to make the top hat.

Glue the top hat to the top of the snowman's head.

Dip the popsicle stick in the glue and coat the white circles with the glue mixture.

Many children who were not raised in a Jewish household are familiar with the word Hanukkah, but most don't fully grasp what the holiday means.

Because it frequently falls in December near the dates of the Christian Christmas celebration — and may involve the exchange of gifts — Hankukkah is very often referred to as the "Jewish Christmas." However, the truth is that the Jewish celebration isn't really like Christmas at all.

But the tradition does have an extremely rich history that is important to teach your kids. Here are some basic facts about this Jewish holiday that will help children get a strong grasp on what it's all about.

1. Hanukkah (The Festival of Lights)

The history of Hannukah predates Christmas. Antiochus, the Greek king of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. Most Jews were angry and decided to fight back. In 165 B.C.E, the Jewish Maccabees managed to drive the Syrian army out of Jerusalem and reclaim their temple. Hanukkah is the celebration of this victory. In history, Hanukkah has been a minor holiday, only gaining in popularity since the late 1800s. In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication."

2. Spelling of Hanukkah

The guttural sound of the Hebrew letters cannot be duplicated by the English alphabet. For this reason, there are many spellings of this holiday in English and all are correct.

3. Hanukkah celebration dates

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th in the month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. Since the Hebrew calendar is lunar rather than solar, Hanukkah falls on a different day each year, anywhere from November to early January on the standard calendar.

4. Meaning of the menorah

The Maccabees wanted to rededicate their temple by lighting the "eternal flame," but they only had enough consecrated oil to burn for one day. Miraculously, that little bit of oil lasted for eight days until more purified oil could be found. Today, Jewish families light candles or burn oil in a candelabra called a menorah for the eight days of Hanukkah, adding one candle each day. The special helper candle used to light the rest of the candles each night is called the Shamash. On the first night, the Shamash plus one other candle are lit. On the second night, the Shamash plus two candles are lit. This process is continued on through the eight nights. The eight-day lighting of the candles commemorates the eight-day miracle of the oil.

5. Giving of gifts

As part of the celebration, children received "gelt" (Yiddish term for "money") during each of the eight days in order for them to learn about charity. More recently, the tradition of children receiving a small gift each of the eight nights has become more popular. This gift giving is frequently associated with the Christian Christmas tradition of gift giving.

6. Dreidels

During Hanukkah, Jewish children enjoying playing with a toy called a dreidel, which is similar to a top. The dreidel has four sides and features the Hebrew letters nun, gimel, hei and shin. These letters stand for the Hebrew phrase "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham," "A great miracle happened there." The game is played with candy. The player who has all the candy in the end is the winner.

7. Hanukkah foods

8. Family celebration

As in many other celebrations of many other cultures, Hanukkah is about family. It's a joyous time of year when those you love gather together to share food, blessings and music, as the traditions are passed on through the ages.

Updated 11/28/16

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/806884/hanukkah-facts-for-childrenMon, 28 Nov 2016 00:50:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/979477/make-your-elf-on-the-shelf-bendable
There's no denying that Elf on the Shelf is a genius idea. Not only does the little guy encourage kids to be on their best behavior during the holiday season, he also sparks creativity in the minds of parents who delight in researching hilarious ways to amaze their kids with funny, naughty and surprising placements of the Elf on the Shelf.

But when my family met our elf — lovingly referred to as Sparkle — I have to admit I was a tad disappointed with his inability to hold a pose. How the heck was I supposed to teach Sparkle to play the guitar or have him zip line through the living room if his little arms and legs were only made of cloth?

Elf on the Shelf's only flaw is that it is not bendable, and Sparkle had to undergo some major surgery soon after we acquired him. There isn't any wire in the elf's arms or legs, but you can work around this to get your own elf to hold a pose better than a master yogi.

Here's how we made our Elf on the Shelf bendable. It only requires a bit of hand-stitching, so even the most craft-challenged among you can easily transform your Elf into a bendable figure.

Wire cutters, needles, pliers... seem like too much for you and Elfie to handle? Then check out our simple no-sew option at the end of the article!

Image: Tiffany Egbert/SheKnows

Supplies:

Image: Kristine Bustamante/Sheknows

Floral wire (approximately 14 gauge)

Needle-nose pliers

Wire cutters

Sharp needle

Red/white thread

Seam ripper

Prepping the Elf for surgery

The Elf's reconstructive surgery is best done during nap time or while your kids are at school because of course, if you touch him in front of the kids he will lose his powers! Give the Elf a pat on the shoulder, assure him he'll pull through just fine and if you haven't already, use the seam ripper to cut the thread holding the Elf's hands together.

Step 2:

Using the needle nose pliers, bend the top of the wire into a loop. This prevents the wire from poking through the end of the Elf's arm or leg.

Step 3:

Image: Kristine Bustamante/Sheknows

Lay the wire along the Elf's arm to measure how long you need it to be. Cut the wire with the wire cutters, just short of the end of the Elf's hand, and bend this end into a loop as well.

Step 4:

Image: Kristine Bustamante/Sheknows

Slip the wire into the opening in the Elf's hand and work it up toward the Elf's shoulder. If it's peeking out of the Elf's hand still, you'll need to recut the wire and make it shorter.

Step 5:

Image: Kristine Bustamante/Sheknows

Using your sewing needle and white thread, begin stitching up the Elf's hand. Trim the threads.

Step 6:

Image: Kristine Bustamante/Sheknows

Repeat this process for the Elf's other arm and legs (use red thread when stitching up the Elf's legs) and voila! Your Elf can now grasp itself to almost any surface by bending his arms and legs.

Want a sew-free surgery option for your Elf on the Shelf? You can attach a small piece of white Velcro to the insides of your Elf's hands using hot glue. The Elf's hands will be able to stick together so that it can hang from things like chandeliers, cabinet knobs, fan pulls... you get the idea!

Originally published November 2015. Updated November 2016.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/979477/make-your-elf-on-the-shelf-bendableFri, 25 Nov 2016 08:00:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1130012/10-funniest-tweets-from-parents-this-week
Parents have to deal with some puh-retty crazy stuff on a daily basis, so it's only right that they enjoy the occasional laugh... at the expense of their kids. Here are 10 tweets from parents this week guaranteed to make you LOL.

First off, he's adorable. There's also the tiny little perk that he encourages children to behave all December long, lest they end up on the naughty list. And, let's be real, Elf on the Shelf is just as much fun for parents as it is for the kids. Coming up with creative places and inventive ways to position your family's elf is a total blast, and can keep you up giggling well after the kids have gone to bed.

A little background on our elf

The premise behind the Elf on the Shelf is that Santa sends a special elf to your house to keep an eye on your children to make sure they are behaving. At night, when everyone is asleep, the elf, with his magic powers, goes back to the North Pole to report to Santa on who was naughty and who was nice. The fun part is that before sunrise the next morning, your elf comes back from his nightly report to the big guy and appears in another location in your house whether it is something as simple as sitting in the Christmas tree or something quite mischievous as making “snow” angels on the kitchen table. There is one simple rule — no touching! If you touch your elf, his magic will disappear and he will no longer be able to travel back to the North Pole. This has been a great way to keep little hands off of our elf, which the children lovingly named Elfie Rojo. Rojo is the Spanish word for red. You think they’ve watched too much Dora the Explorer?

This is definitely the highlight of our holiday season and with each Christmas Eve, which is the day Elfie goes back to the North Pole to stay until next year, the kids tell him goodbye and we talk about all the fun memories we’ve had with him over the past couple of weeks.

Idea 1: Elfie Rojo has good hygiene

Our sneaky lil’ Elfie Rojo was found in the children’s shower up on the towel rack this morning. Elfie looked like he had just finished taking a bath and flossing his teeth. For this set up, I took an old rag and fashioned it around Elfie’s head and then slipped in a flossing stick for good measure. Of course, upon finding him, I commented on how it looked like Elfie was trying to remind the children to take baths at night and to keep their teeth brushed so they won’t get cavities. Not all of Elfie’s pranks have to be silly; with some of them I try to throw in a life lesson or two.

Idea 2: Elfie rides a butterfly

Elfie was found in my daughter’s room riding one of her butterfly decorations that hangs from the ceiling. Our family had just recently watched the movie Avatar so the kids thought that Elfie looked just like Jake Sully, the main character in the movie, riding one of the mountain banshees.

Idea 3: Elfie makes snow angels

In this Elf on a the Shelf idea, the kids found Elfie making “snow” angels on the kitchen table this particular morning and didn’t know whether to laugh or worry that Elfie would be in trouble. I pretended to be scolding Elfie for making such a mess, but the kids defended him and happily agreed to clean up the snow (aka flour) so that he wouldn’t get in trouble. Here’s a little tip: Double-sided tape helps to get your elf’s hands to stay where you need them to.

Idea 4: Stocking Exchange

Once again, Elfie Rojo was quite the prankster on this day! He decided to take down all of our Christmas stockings and switch them out for each family member’s underwear. Maybe he wanted to start a new trend? The kids thought this was quite hilarious! I was a bit mortified when my neighbor decided to pay me a visit and my undies were out for the world to see.

Idea 5: Elfie reads a book

I have a little doll bed that I use for my newborn photography sessions but Elfie thought it made for the perfect snuggle spot for him to read a book in front of our Christmas tree. I think we bought this little Christmas board book from the dollar store but it was the perfect size for Elfie to read. This can also be a good reminder for children who are at a reading age to practice their reading.

Idea 6: Elfie plays the guitar

Elfie Rojo was practicing the guitar when the children found him this day. I love to play guitar, although I find I haven’t had the time to play lately. Nestled into my guitar strings and with my music book opened to what else — ”Jingle Bells,” Elfie was ready to play and sing! A few days later, the kids and I took Elfie’s advice and sang ”Jingle Bells” while I clumsily fumbled through chords. It had been too long since I last played, and my fingers were so sore. Nonetheless, the kids didn’t care that I didn’t hit every note; they just enjoyed having Mommy time and singing!

Idea 7: Elfie was found zip lining through the boys’ room

This one was a bit difficult to do. I knew the boys had to be completely asleep for this one since I was going to be setting this up in their room. I hung ribbon from the ceiling to the other end of the wall and then taped Elfie’s hand to a candy cane creating a zip line. We had recently spent a weekend at the Longhorn River Ranch where there was a zip line over the river which the kids really wanted to do but it was just too high for them. The kids thought it was neat that at least Elfie got to zip line even though they didn’t get to this past summer!

Idea 8: Elfie Rojo loves ice cream — who knew?

After searching and searching that morning for Elfie Rojo, my daughter finally found him in the freezer holding an ice cream cone! The cone was one of the little food items that was a part of my daughter’s kitchen play set.

Idea 9: Elfie impersonates the “Big Guy”

I hung the tail end of a Santa hat into the kitchen cabinet and then sat Elfie into the mouth cut out of the beard attachment. Not sure Elfie fooled any of us with his disguise but the children thought it was funny. This made it difficult getting to our plates and bowls in the cabinet since you aren’t supposed to touch or move Elfie, but we managed for one day.

Idea 10: Elfie Rojo plays Scrabble with friends

Elfie Rojo, along with Hulk, Raggedy Ann and T-Rex, were found playing an intense game of Scrabble this morning. All the words on the board had something to do with Christmas — deer, trees, Christmas, hat, Santa, snowman, and of course, Elfie Rojo! Hulk was mad because he had all vowels and couldn’t play. Don’t you hate it when that happens?

Idea 11: Elfie writes a cautionary note to remind the kids to be good

The kids were particularly bad one day so the next morning Elfie was found by the front door holding a pencil with which he wrote the kids a note reminding them that they needed to behave to be on Santa’s Nice List. Here’s a little tip: I wrote this letter with my left hand in fear that my kids would recognize my handwriting. It took a little longer but they didn’t recognize it and the writing almost looks childlike which I think looks authentic.

Idea 12: Elfie takes a siesta

All that traveling back and forth to the North Pole and back has made Elfie Rojo very tired so he decides to relax and have a fruity umbrella drink. I hung a bandana between two poinsettias to make the hammock. The yellow game piece from our Trouble game became the glass and a toothpick with a small round piece of decorative paper became the drink umbrella. I think at this point, Mommy was ready for a little R & R too.

Idea 13: Elfie plays with toilet paper

Elfie reminded the kids that there were only five more days until Christmas. He hung toilet paper from the top cabinet and used Momma’s lip stick to write his message.

Idea 14: Snowball fight!

Using Lego blocks for barriers and marshmallows for snowballs, Elfie and Bumblebee set out to have a very fun time with a big snowball fight. Although, by the time I was able to get my camera out that morning to get a quick photo, half the snowballs had disappeared! My three little snowball eaters had already cleared out a bunch of the snow before this picture was taken.

Idea 15: Elfie turns the kids into Rudolph

This Elf on the Shelf idea was so much fun, but a little tricky to pull off.

I initially thought about using lipstick, but the thought of it smudging off during the night and getting on all the pillows, was not pleasant. So I decided to use a washable craft paint instead. But then again, I struggled with the idea that the paint might still rub off in the middle of the night. So plan B, instead of painting their noses at the beginning of the night, I woke up early that morning and painted the red dots on about an hour before they typically wake up. At the most, if they did have that one last roll-over before getting out of bed it wouldn’t be too bad of a smudge and hopefully the paint would be dry within a minute or two after I applied it. I set up Elfie on the counter so when the kids walked into the living room they would see his note. The squeal of excitement from all three kids from this little red dot could be heard from the next house over!

Idea 16: Elfie plays pirate

Elfie Rojo, or should I say pirate Rojo, was found hiding in the kitchen cabinets in the Treasure Island skull mug my husband bought during one of his trips to Las Vegas. His pirate eye patch is made from a tiny piece of black craft paper and tied with some elastic string.

Idea 17: Elfie impersonates the “Big Guy” again

Elfie brought his own red Santa bag with little gifts for everyone. Each child received small do-it-yourself Christmas ornaments to make that morning after breakfast. Note: These types of ornaments can be found fairly inexpensively at any craft store or dollar store. For Elfie’s Santa beard, I first cut a small paper beard. Next I pulled off tiny bits of cotton ball and rolled them into smaller balls to glue to the paper beard. And once again, a good sized piece of double sided tape kept the beard on Elfie’s face.

Idea 18: Elfie plays I Spy

I spy with my little eye... Elfie Rojo! This particular morning, it took the children forever to find Elfie because he was hiding so well and even disguised himself as a girl complete with a pink bow! After what seems like several minutes and some discouraging comments from the children, I announced “I spy with my little eye, Elfie Rojo!” They all came running into my daughter’s room searching and searching until finally my son exclaimed, “There he is!”

Idea 19: Elfie was naughty and doodled on a photo

The children found Elfie perched up on one of our framed photos and he had drawn a silly mustache and other doodles on my oldest son’s picture. The kids thought this was a riot and laughed hysterically! I actually used a sharpie marker which I tested beforehand to make sure it would come off. However, if I would have had a dry erase marker, it would have worked better and saved me a little bit of scrubbing.

Idea 20: Elfie plays Twister

Elfie Rojo and his friends stayed up late playing Twister. He was actually in a sitting position when I went to bed that night, but by morning time, he was slumped over. Fortunately I think it made him look more genuine because it looked like he couldn’t stay on his color and fell over which is fairly typical in the game of Twister when you’ve got arms and legs going everywhere and your balance is off.

Idea 21: Candy cane sled in the snow

Elfie was found riding a candy cane sled in some marshmallow snow! Once again, the “snow” did not last very long with three hungry munchkins in the house. What was once a large mound of snow was whittled down to just a few snowballs by the time I came back with my camera. The candy cane sled was easy to make. Just hot glue a couple of candy canes together and set to dry.

Idea 22: Meet me under the mistletoe

Elfie Rojo hung mistletoe in the middle of our hallway which is the busiest area of our house because it connects our living room to the bedrooms. We found ourselves giving lots of hugs and kisses to one another that day — a perfect reminder of what Christmas is all about.

Idea 23: Elfie impersonates me

I am so flattered! The kids found Elfie in my office taking pictures with my old Iloca camera. His models were five McDonald happy meal figurines.

Idea 24: Elfie loves chocolate chips

Oh our crazy Elfie was found in the pantry this morning head down in a bag of half eaten chocolate chips in this Elf on the Shelf idea. This was actually a great cover up for me. You see, I love chocolate too and the night before I found myself eating chocolate chips by the handful and watching a movie. Thanks for taking one for the team Elfie and covering for a fellow chocoholic!

Idea 25: Elfie decorates the house with lights

Once again, Elfie Rojo proved very hard to find this particular morning. The kids searched and searched all over the house not realizing that he was outside! It looks like he was trying to hang Christmas lights on our house and also trying to drop a subtle hint to Daddy that it needed to be done. Being the little Elf that he is, he just couldn’t quite make it to the roof!

Idea 26: Elfie is captured by the Army men

The Army has captured Elfie and they are holding him hostage. With a little bit of rope and a Shake Weight (I knew there was a good use for that thing), the army men try to keep Elfie Rojo from disappearing that night to go back to the North Pole. The mission was unsuccessful. Elfie escaped and was found in a different location the next morning.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/976907/ideas-for-elf-on-the-shelfTue, 22 Nov 2016 09:00:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1130000/parents-bizarre-and-hilarious-rules-kids
You have to issue all kinds of rules when you're a parent; most are the ones you expect, like "no hitting," "don't run with scissors" and "look both ways before you cross the street." Sometimes, however, you're forced to establish a rule that is so utterly bizarre that you're amazed the words are even coming out of your mouth, let alone that this is something you're actually going to have to enforce.

One day you're just going along, parenting like you always do, and the next thing you know you're telling your child to get away from their sibling because people don't like to be stared at while they're pooping. And you're thinking, "Why is this even something I have to say? What is happening here?"

The other day, a Reddit user asked, "Parents of Reddit: What is a rule you never thought you'd have to create let alone enforce?" The answers are hilarious. Some of our favorites include:

"We don't poke each other in the butthole. Not in the bath. Not ever."

"No crayons in the butter."

"No climbing on the rails of the ferry boat. Not on the inside of the boat and ABSOLUTELY NOT on the outside of the boat."

"There shall be no slapping of your penis against the shower curtain."

"While on holiday my brother had to bring in a rule of no crossbows to be fired in a moving car."

"Stop licking the kittens."

"Doors aren't toys. I don't know why anyone would think they are."

"No waffles on the cat."

"No, you cannot go wave at your dad from the driveway with no clothes on."

And our personal favorite:

"There is no playing of Gloria Estefan's 'The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You' in my house because my son somehow became TERRIFIED of a monster called the Rhythmus, and his constant fear is that the Rhythmus is gonna get him. No bullshit. There is no place to hide, it comes at night. The Rhythmus gonna get him."

Kids are so weird.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1130000/parents-bizarre-and-hilarious-rules-kidsFri, 18 Nov 2016 15:30:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1129858/10-funniest-tweets-from-parents-this-week
When your mornings consist of looking for an errant toddler shoe for 30 minutes and your nightly soundtrack is a chorus of But I'm not tiiired, then you can use a laugh. Here are this week's funniest tweets from parents. Rest easy, moms and dads, knowing you're not going at this crazy parenting thing alone — but Godspeed, friend.

7. 'Til the end of time

8. Well, one difference

9. Twinsies!

10. One of life's great questions

how many tacos

how many tacos

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1129858/10-funniest-tweets-from-parents-this-weekThu, 17 Nov 2016 15:00:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1021043/thanksgiving-turkey-crafts-for-kids
Turkey crafts are such an awesome way to add a little fun to your kids' Thanksgiving break. The feathers of the bird and the bright colors of the season lend to endless possibilities, and you'll love watching your kids tap into their creativity as much as they love doing it.

The great news about turkey crafts is they are usually easy and inexpensive to pull off — so kids of all ages can get in on the fun. Added bonus: the works of art look awesome as part of your holiday tablescape on Thanksgiving Day.

Pom-pom turkeys

Supplies:

Brown yarn

Cardboard

Scissors

Large googly eyes

Orange felt

Assorted fall-colored pipe cleaners

4 yellow pipe cleaners

Glue

Directions:

Cut a piece of cardboard that is 5 to 6 inches across.

Wrap the yarn around the cardboard approximately 100 times.

Cut a small piece of yarn. Slide the wrapped yarn off of the cardboard and tie the small piece of yarn around the center of the yarn bundle.

Trim the loops at each end of the yarn bundle to form the pom-pom.

Take several fall-colored pipe cleaners and loosely fold them in half to form feathers. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaners around each other to keep them together.

Glue the pipe cleaner feathers to the back of the pom-pom.

Glue 2 large googly eyes to the front of the pom-pom.

Cut a triangle out of the orange felt and glue it below the googly eyes.

Take 2 yellow pipe cleaners and fold them to make 2 turkey feet.

Grab 2 more yellow pipe cleaners and wrap 1 end around the turkey feet. Glue the other end of the pipe cleaners to the underside of the pom-pom to make the turkey's legs.

Fingerprint gobblers

Supplies:

Washable markers

White construction paper

Orange construction paper

Hole punch

Scissors

Glue

Directions:

Color on your child's finger with 1 of the washable markers. Stamp the finger on the white construction paper.

Create a semi-circle of fingerprints, alternating colors to form the turkey's feathers.

Draw the body of the turkey with a brown marker.

Use the hole punch to punch 2 circles out of white construction paper. Use a black marker to create a dot in the center of the circles, then glue the circles to the turkey to make the eyes.

Cut a triangle out of orange construction paper and glue it beneath the turkey's eyes to make the beak.

Draw 2 feet on the turkey with an orange marker.

Mini pumpkin turkeys

Supplies:

Mini pumpkin

Brown, red and orange felt

Googly eyes

Feathers

Scissors

Glue

Directions:

Cut out the body of the turkey from brown craft felt.

Glue 2 googly eyes to the brown craft felt, then cut out a triangle from the orange felt and glue it below the googly eyes.

Cut a small squiggle from the red felt and glue it below the orange beak.

Glue the body of the turkey to the mini pumpkin.

Glue feathers to the opposite side of the mini pumpkin.

Coffee filter turkey magnet

Supplies:

Coffee filter

Washable markers

Spray bottle

Brown construction paper

Orange construction paper

Magnet tape

Googly eyes

Glue

Directions:

Lay a coffee filter out on a protected surface and color it in with the washable markers.

Lightly mist the coffee filter with water until the colors begin to run together. Allow the coffee filter to dry completely.

Fold the coffee filter in half and glue the 2 halves together.

Cut out the body of the turkey from construction paper and glue it to the coffee filter.

Glue 2 googly eyes to the construction paper, then cut out an orange triangle for the beak and glue it below the googly eyes.

Cut out 2 long, skinny strips from the orange construction paper. Fold the strips like an accordion, then unfold them and glue them to the bottom of the turkey to form the legs.

Glue a strip of magnet tape to the back of the coffee filter, then stick the turkey on the refrigerator.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1021043/thanksgiving-turkey-crafts-for-kidsTue, 15 Nov 2016 03:34:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1129803/mom-bans-kids-from-living-room-until-after-thanksgiving
Let's be honest — don't we all wish we could lock our kids out of newly cleaned rooms, at least for a few hours? There's something about a freshly vacuumed carpet, polished glass and a clutter-free floor that says to children, "come and wreak havoc on me/smear your dirty fingers all over me/empty all your toys all over me."

It makes cleaning and sorting and tidying on a daily basis kind of pointless. But unfortunately it's necessary at some times of the year — at least if we don't want our friends and relatives to think we're complete slobs.

One mom has the perfect solution. Clean your room, then make it off limits to the rest of the family. Michele Keylor from Ohio hung a "closed" sign on the door of her just-cleaned living room, and it's gone viral after her 17-year-old son Nick Denbow shared a photo of her handwritten note on his Twitter account.

"Special permission will be considered for you to sit on my clean furniture and/or walk on my clean carpet only after the following conditions have been met," wrote Keylor. "1) You have showered and are dirt and odor free from top to toe. 2) You are wearing freshly laundered clothing.”

And permission came with one major rule: "NO food or drinks are permitted at this time!”

Keylor, who is also mom to Andy, 27, Casey, 24, and Samantha, 22, signed her note with: "Mom, Payer of the Bills, Chauffeur, Queen of the castle, Person ruining your life, Bossy bitch in charge."

"I took advantage of Andy being away for National Guard drill and steam cleaned the living room carpet and furniture," said Keylor, who is hosting 30 people at her home on Thanksgiving. "It was much needed as there were soda spills and footprints on the carpet and pizza smudges and chip fingerprints on the furniture."

She also revealed that during the cleanup she discovered french fries, dog toys, coins and dirty socks. Nice.

For moms of younger kids a handwritten warning has obvious flaws (a child's reading ability for one) but it can inspire a similar approach. A padlock, perhaps?

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1129803/mom-bans-kids-from-living-room-until-after-thanksgivingMon, 14 Nov 2016 08:27:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1129654/10-funniest-tweets-from-parents-this-week
When you spend your days cleaning food up off of the floor and trying to convince someone who's around 3 feet tall that they have to wear shoes when it's 30 degrees out, you could probably use a laugh — which is where Twitter comes in handy. From parental election stress to all-too-common story-time rituals, here are this week's funniest tweets from parents.

7. Pretty much

8. So, that's what it's for!

9. Mmm... sounds fun!

10. Thanks, Disney!

thanks disney

thanks disney

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1129654/10-funniest-tweets-from-parents-this-weekThu, 10 Nov 2016 13:00:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/845477/4-easy-thanksgiving-crafts-for-kids
There are so many aspects of Thanksgiving that lend to fun and easy crafts. Bright fall colors, festive pumpkins and cute turkeys are just so fun to work with, and kids can get a good giggle while tapping into their creativity.

There's also so many learning opportunities that go with Thanksgiving crafts! Take the opportunity to talk to your child about Thanksgiving and what it means to be thankful and generous to others as you help them put together these fun ideas.

Kids are so often swept up in the excitement of holidays that they don't fully grasp what the holiday is all about. But before you let your youngster write off Veterans Day as just another day off from school, help them learn what Veterans Day really stands for — as well as the importance of honoring those who have served our country.

These Veterans Day facts will teach them the true meaning of the holiday and the history behind the celebration.

What is Veterans Day?

Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day celebrates the end of World War I, paying tribute to all American veterans both living or deceased who served their country honorably during both times of peace and war. However, Veterans Day was not officially passed by Congress as an annual observance until 1926, became a national holiday in 1938 and was officially renamed Veterans Day in 1954 by President Eisenhower.

When is Veterans Day celebrated?

The first Veterans Day was celebrated on Nov. 11, 1919, which was the first anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill moved the celebration of this special holiday to the fourth Monday in October beginning in 1971. However, in 1975 President Ford returned the holiday's observance to the original date of Nov. 11 annually due to the historical significance of the date that the Allies and Germany declared a truce on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

How is Veterans Day different from Memorial Day?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that Veterans Day is often confused with Memorial Day. While Memorial Day honors American service members who died in service to their country, Veterans Day honors both but gives special thanks to living veterans.

How is Veterans Day celebrated?

Often accompanied by a day off from school and work, military veterans are honored on Veterans Day by parades and speeches, including a national ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

What is the Tomb of the Unknowns?

The Tomb of the Unknowns is the tomb where unidentified soldiers who died in combat are laid to rest just outside of Washington, D.C. in the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The first unidentified soldier, who had been killed in France, was buried there on November 11, 1921 until the completed tomb was dedicated on November 11, 1932. Two other unidentified soldiers, one who perished fighting in World War II and the other who passed away serving during the Korean War, were also buried in the tomb. A fourth unknown soldier from the Vietnam War was entombed in the site in 1984, but was later removed once DNA tests identified him as Michael Blassie. Michael Blassie was a 24-year-old Air Force pilot shot down in May 1972 and was later disinterred and reburied by his family in Missouri.

More facts about veterans living in the United States

Currently, the Census Bureau reports that more than 21 million veterans currently reside in the U.S.

California is home to the most veterans in the country with more than 2.1 million current and former service members in the population. Four other states — Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania — also boast more than 1 million veterans each among their population.

There were 1.6 million female veterans residing in the United States in 2012.

There were 9.6 million veterans age 65 years and older and 1.8 million veterans age 35 years and younger living in the U.S. in 2012.

Originally published November 2013. Updated November 2016.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1022389/veterans-day-facts-and-trivia-for-kidsTue, 08 Nov 2016 12:00:00 -0800http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1037159/top-subscription-boxes-for-kids
For most of the world, snail mail is an antiquated method of delivering messages that's hardly used anymore. But for kids, there's still a magical feeling of excitement when something pops into the mailbox — especially when that something is a super fun subscription box that shows up every month without fail.

KidPik: For the fashionista

Got a girl who loves fashion but hates shopping with mom? Then KidPik is right up your alley. Aimed at girls 4 through 14, the subscription service allows little girls to set up a fashion profile (with help from parents) on their site. Then the KidPik team curates a box of goodies for her and sends it out. Each box typically has about six to seven items (tops, bottoms and accessories) at an average price of $12.50 an item. You don't pay until you get the box and decide what you want to keep, so you can always send it all back if she's not a fan. The company also offers a 30 percent discount if you decide to keep all the outfits in the box, and a "basics" line that you can buy from separately to complete her wardrobe. Currently KidPiks can be sent monthly, every three months or twice per season (eight boxes a year).

Kiwi Crate: For the crafty kid

Geared for crafty kids ages 3 through 8, the Kiwi Crate arrives each month full of fun hands-on projects that include science experiments, art projects and build-and-play games. Each crate includes two to three projects based on a different theme each month, such as Space Hero, City Adventure and Around the World. I was sent the Rainforest theme, which included cool crafts like a jumping frog game and a craft in which kids create their own rain stick. These little boxes include everything you need for the craft (even the scissors) as well as a Highlights-esque magazine and other activities to further explore the theme. Kiwi Crate subscriptions start at $17/month and shipping is free. (If you aren’t quite sure if you want to commit, you can purchase individual activity packs on the Kiwi Crate website or at Target stores.)

Kidstir: For the foodie kid

Got a budding chef or foodie on your hands? Kidstir is geared for kids ages 5 through 10 and features monthly subscription boxes filled with hands-on food adventures for kids. Kidstir would also be a great way to introduce your picky eater to healthy and nutritious foods. The first subscription box includes a personalized cookbook binder and future boxes are geared to a chapter of the cookbook, such as snacks or breakfast. Your child will love creating their own cookbook and whipping up dishes (with your help), as each box features step-by-step recipes, as well as three kid-sized tools, among other fun items. Kidstir subscriptions start at $12.95/month with free shipping.

GiftLit: For the book lover

Whether your child is just starting to read or is already a bookworm, GiftLit is a great subscription box to help build up their home library. Geared for ages 2 through 12, literary experts choose the perfect books for your child’s age and reading skill. You pick the theme, including favorite fiction for boys or girls, fantasy, page turners, new releases, around the world, classics or historical fiction, and the literary experts can pick out the perfect book — or you can make your own substitutions. You can see which book will be sent each month. You can purchase a GiftLit subscription for three months ($58), six months ($115) or a 12 month ($230) gift subscription. As a bonus, 10 percent of their profits are donated to literacy programs for schools and libraries.

Pley: For the toy lover (who is short on space)

Dubbed the “Netflix of toys,” Pley, formerly SparkBox, allows you to rent toys (and LEGOs) for kids up to 4 years of age. The concept is pretty genius — after all most kids will play with toys for a period of time, get tired of them and they end up gathering dust and cluttering the house. With Pley, your child will receive fully-cleaned and sanitized toys that are matched to your child’s age. If your child happens to fall in love with a specific toy, you can even purchase it for a discounted price. Pley subscription plans start at one toy a month ($12.99), up to three toys a month, including premium toys ($29.99).

Little Passports: For the traveler

Geared towards children ages 5 through 12, Little Passports is a fun way for your kids to learn about the world. Your child will learn about the world we live in with Sam and Sofia, who teach geography, history, culture and language. Your can pick the World Edition, in which your kids will join Sam and Sofia as they travel to a new country each month, or the USA Edition, in which they visit two new states every month. The Little Passports subscription plans are $12 for a 12-month plan, $14 for a six-month plan or $14 for a monthly plan.

Loot Crate: For the gamer

With Loot Crate, your kid will get a box full of “fun and expected geek and gamer gear every month.” Each month, your child receives a box of 6 to 8 cool items, including gear, snacks, toys and art. The boxes are kept a secret until they are delivered — however the theme is revealed (for example this month is Adventure). Loot Crate doesn’t give a specific age, only saying they have a wide range of demographics, are family friendly and gender neutral. Take a look at past boxes to see if it is appropriate for your child. Loot Crate subscriptions are $14/month (plus $6 shipping) for one month or $12/month for a three- or six-month plan.

Green Kid Crafts: For the science lover

Green Kid Crafts subscription boxes are the perfect choice for today’s modern kids — they are educational, fun and eco-friendly. Geared towards kids ages 3 through 10, each eco-friendly box is filled with three to four creative and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities to help them learn and succeed in school. Your kids will love the themes, which include Outer Space, Nocturnal Animals, Mad Scientist and Backyard Science. Green Kid Crafts subscriptions are $19.95/month for a three-month subscription, $18.95/month for a six-month subscription or $17.95/month for a 12-month subscription.